Magnesium burner and lamp



Dec. 27, 1927.

L. KRAL MAGNESIUM BURNER AND LAMP Filed April* 3o. 1924 2 sheets-sheet 1 Dec. 27, 1927.

1,653,963 L. KRAL MAGNESIUM BURNER AND LAMP Filed April 30, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec, 27, 1927.

amiral)` STATES PA'rnN clerics v LUDWIG Kaat, or VIENNA, aus'rnra.

MAGNESIUM BURNER AND LAMP.

Application led April 30, 1924, Serial No. 710,200, and in Austria May 5, 1923.

This invention relates -to a magnesium burner and lamp which are mainly used for photographic objects. n

i Particularl for photographic objects `in I case it is desired to make a continuous light it is of the greatest importanceto harmonize the burning,` speed of the magnesium'and suppress as much as possible the develop'- ment of smoke. v y

Now it has been found, that these two requirements are in a very intimate connection with one another and may be influenced to a great extent by the chemical character of the surface of the magnesium, as well as also by :the manner in which the burner is built up.` K

The characteristic feature of the present invention consists in that `the magnesium, which is used in the shape of bands, strips, plates, discs or in a pulverized state and so forth, at-{irst is subjected to a chemical alteration at the surface (which hereinafter will be termed oxidation) and subsequently the material. thus prepared is formed into the shape .of a cylindrically shaped burner (candle) by means` of4 winding, folding, superpositioning and so forth.

Further a candle composed of a number of superposed magnesium-plates is supplied with suicien't oxygen for the'combustion in that the individual plates are provided with centrally disposed elevations, which form between the individual plates a suitable space for the admission of thevair ofcoinbustion in case the plates are superposed upon one another in such a manner, that' the middles of the plates rest tightly against each other. y Y

Also an increase of the surface of combustion is obtained towing to the fact, that only the centres of the plates rest upon one another. i

Ifdesired intermediateplates of a smaller diameter may be loosely disposed between the plates in place of the centrally arranged elevation on each plate. f

The intermediate plates may be composed of'substances which yield oxygen, for instance oxides and superoxides of alkaline Vearths or heavy metals and so forth, whereby during the combustion of the candle oxygen is supplied also from the inside.` y

If desired the intermediate plates may be composed of an indifferent material (forinstance magnesiav usta), which prevents the fast burning away, as only the glowing intermediate layer ignites the next plate under pressure into the cylinder containing.

the candle in order to obtain a suitable burning away. v f

Further the present invention relates to a lamp for such burners, which essentially consists of a cylinder which is made of glass or another transparent material and is providedwith an adjustable air-supply and encloses the burner.

Several modes of carrying out the present invention are shown by way of example on the accompanying sheets of drawings` in which" Fig. l shows the material of which the burner is composed in the original state, and

Fig. 2 the same inthe twisted or contorted condition. v

Figs. 3 and a illustrate two burners formed by the contorted material.

Fig. 5 shows a burner composed of circular` sheet-metal plates.

structed according to the present invention, and Fig. 7 shows a modified construction of the lamp in section with a burner composed of superposed plates, which are separated by intermediate layers. v The material of which the burner is composed (Fig. l) consists vof small parallel magnesium strips or bands l, which are braided together by means of very thincop per `wires 2 to form a broader band.

Now this material is provided with a very thin film of oxyde, for instance by quickly drawing; it through a very diluted nitric acid. In place of `the nitric acid any other solution in a correspondingly diluted condition may be employed which chemically al ters the surface of the magnesium.

The material thus prepared is twisted into the shape of a. cord 3 (Fig. il), which is spirally wound (Fig. 3) or longitudinally arranged side by side (Fig. 4C) to form a rylindrically shaped memberand which is placed on an iron mandrel or bar 4, the top and bottom ofthe burner being closed up by means of sheet metal plates 5, which hold together the burner and prevent the admission of air into the interior of the cylinder; i

, Fig. 6 is a front View of a lamp con-k inetal and are furnished with` a centrali-y disposed hole and with radially arranged ooi'rugatier-isv The surface oxidation is car` ried out in the saine iuanner as has been described Wi `h respect tothe bands. Thedi-scs are piled up on an iron-bar d between the sheet metal plates `I and are screwed' 'togetlier by the nut (l. lin place o' einpsloyrng the magnesium in the manner et i sheet-metal and in thcwshajiefot a band or dise, also diseshaped members may be pressed o magnesiuiu-peufder. which are subjected to a surfaceneri:idatien according to the present `iniventiolr. These discs are also piled-up ont an iron-bar. l

The burners produced in. this manner* are ignited at the top and burn down slowly and evenly with a AVery sinall development of smoke, thereby producing ai very great il'- luniinatin power.

The aniount of the supplied air oifcernbristionis of the greatest importance for the burning-epeed and the development: el smoke. It hasbeen proven by experiments, that a large excess of air of combustion increases the developnfient ol sinolre and that a decrease in the supply of air renders itfpossible to supjziress' the development of sin-ehe to such an extent, that it isr possible to burn down the burner Within a lamp-chimney or glass Without depositing' any inagnesia thereon. j j j Fig'. (d sho-Ws a seafrclrliglit lamp particularly adapted 'for taking kinematographie pictures. rlhe burner 3 is secured by means of the bar 4 in a concave `mirror 8* and is enclosedJ in a chimney 9,' which is mounted on a regulatinginl sleeve l@ provided Witlranuinber ezt aieslots. Alfter igniting; the burner the chimney is placed over the latter just in the saine Way as is the caselwith an ordinary lump` and the air-supply is adjusted to the least possible development of smoke or to the desired speed of burning.

Filer? illustrates lamp which is provide with' a `tight-ltr closed cyliiider 9 in which the burner is arranged, the latter being;r formed by a number of superposed plates l0 of naar? nesiunii or the like, which are separated from one another by intermediate plates 11 of a smaller diameter. All plates are mounted on a tube 12, through Which a fuse orM matchrope 1liis passing. the latter being secured to the tup plate l0. The match-rope 13 `passes throught a cool:` lill of the lamp, which is retained inaposition. se as to clamp the rope by nieans' off a springr l5. Owingn to the action of thisspringr` the enel; 145 isY 1nniediately shut after the match-rope has burned an. j increased activi-ty.

down and thus causes an air-tight closure of the lamp. A pipe 1G lorsupplyiug oxygen or amixture of oxygen and air passes into the bottoni of thelainp and a pipe 17 for the exhaust of the gases oli' combustion isin counnuni'cationwith the top of the lamp.

The silently-pipe '1G :furnished with a shut-oil cock i8 and a nozzle l). The latter Warrantsl a uui'liori'n pa ssing'ein oil" the oxygen or the like eren in case two or more supplypipes are connected to the pipe 116.

A certain pressure is necessary in the cylinder 9 `in order to provide for a corre? spending"burning down nl2 the candle. A largerA heal' oi combustion nbtainedwitli a `.greater pressure and the consequence is However although the lon.;r exhaust tubes call for an increased pressure, the adjustment of a tln'otth-e cock 201 arranged in the'exhaust pipe renders possible any desired increase of the pressure.

:l .reflector S is arranged behind the cylinder 9. j j

lit desired any number ot lanips may be coni-dvd or connected with one another. e. c'. they may be provided with a common sup p'xlyj iipe as Well as with ai common exhaustpipe. or any desired number oie candles may he disposed 4Wit-hin a common cylinder. "i

Oi: course the burner according: to the present invention may be burned down with out being enclosed' in al lamp. i

l. glinagnesium burner comprisinrgv a plurality of magnesium members whose sur# faces are siiilbjected to a. chemical alteration and which are built up to forni a cjdlinflri`- cally shaped member. and a shedtmetal pla e disposed at both ends et the cvlin dricallyshaped member. j j i 2; A magnesium burner comprisine*` a plu-` rality oir'- mamiesiui'n plates Whose surfaces aresubjected toy a chemical alteration' and which are built up to form a cylindricallj shaped member, each plate beinlprevided with a centrally disposedelevation Wh i. provides a connection and leaves a `suitfrble clearance between the individual plates. j

3. magnesium burner comprising; a plu- Y rality of magnesium plates whosey surfaces are subjected' to a chemical altcrationand intermediate layers. the said platesanjrljlays.

ers being alternately built up to form ai cylindrieallyr shaped meinben whereby the in terniediate layers torni a connection and leave a suitable clearance between the iu.- di vidual plates;`

4. A magnesiuniburner' comprising a pl`urality ot magnesium plates" Whose smiiaces are subjected to a chemical alteration.` and intermediatelayers formed: Otau `urvlrenyielding` substance.. the said plates' and layersvheine alternatelybrult-up: to form a `eylirndriically shaped member whereby the intermediate layers form a connection amid his j leave'a suitable clearance between the individual plates.

5. A magnesium burner comprising a plurality of magnesium plates whose surfaces are subjected to a chemical alteration, a tube on which the individual plates are arranged to form a. cylindrically shaped member, each plate being provided with a centrally disposed elevation which provides a connection between and leaves a suitable clearance between the individual plates, and a fuse passing through the said tube.

6. A magnesium burner comprising a plurality of magnesium plates whose surfaces are subjected to a chemical alteration, intermediate layers, a tube on which the said plates and layers are arranged alternately to form a cylindrically shaped member whereby the intermediate layers form a connection and leave a suitable clearance between the individual plates, and a fuse pass- Y ing through the said tube.

7. A magnesium burner comprising a. plurality of magnesium plates whose surfaces are subjected to a chemical alteration, intermediate layers formed of an oxygen-yielding substance, a tube on which the said plates and layers arearranged alternately to form a cylindrically shaped member whereby the intermediate layers form a connection and leave a suitable clearance between the in dividual plates, and a fuse passing through the said tube.

8. A lamp comprising in combination a magnesium burner composed of magnesium .members whose surfaces are subjected to a chemical alteration, a fuse passing through the said burner, a transparent cylinder surrounding the said burner, an adjustable airsupply provided at the bottom of the said cylinder, and a cock arranged at the place of entry of the fuse which is automatically closed when the fuse has burned down and this closes the lamp with respect to the outs1 e.

9. A lamp comprising in combination a magnesium burner composed of magnesium members whose surfaces are subjected to a chemical alteration, a transparent cylinder surroundingthe said burner, an adjustable air-supply provided at the bottom of the said cylinder, a pipe for supplying oxygen and a pipe for leading` away the gases of combustion connected to the lamp.

10. A lamp comprising in combination a magnesium burner composed of magnesium members whose surfaces are subjected to a chemical alteration, a transparent cylinder surrounding the said burner, an adjustable air-supply provided at the bottom of the said cylinder, a pipe for supplying oxygen connected to the lamp, a nozzle for compensating any variation in pressure mounted in the said pipe, and a pipe for leading away the gases of combustion connected to the lamp.

11. A lamp comprising in combination a magnesium burner composed of magnesium member-s whose surfaces are subjected to a chemical alteration, a transparent cylinder surrounding the said burner, an adjustable air-supply provided at the bottom of the said cylinder, a pipe for supplying oxygen connected to thelamp, a'pipe for leadingaway the gases of combustion connected to the lamp, and a throttle-member for regu lating the pressure mounted in the pipe last mentioned. Y

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

LUDWIG KRAL. 

